Near Delta in Millard County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Topaz Internment Camp
Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 20, 2007
1. Topaz Internment Camp Marker
Site of Topaz Internment Camp.
Over 120,000 Japanese-American, two thirds of whom are U.S. citizens, are uprooted from their west coast homes and incarcerated by their own government. It is 1942, wartime hysteria is at a peak. They are imprisoned in ten inland concentration camps where they remain behind barbed wire, under suspicion and armed guards for up to 3½ years. Topaz is one of the ten camps.
Without hearings or trials, this act of injustice is based solely on the color of their skin and the country of their origin. Americas fear and distrust of these citizensprecipitated by Japans attack upon Pearl Harboris placated.
Lost within this rush to judgement is the denial of constitutional rights, major losses of personal property and the labelling of its own citizens as enemy. Ironically, though this mass incarceration is spearheaded by thoughts of disloyalty, not a single act of espionage against the U.S. is ever discovered.
Indeed, the 442nd RTC and 100th Battalion, composed entirely of Japanese-American boys (many of whom volunteer from internment camps), suffer major war casualties and go on to become
this page online
Topaz is closed in October of 1945.The memory of Topaz remains a tribute to a people whose faith and loyalty was steadfastwhile Americas had faltered.
Erected 1976.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1945.
Location. 39° 25.082′ N, 112° 46.763′ W. Marker is near Delta, Utah, in Millard County. It is on West 4500 N Street 0.7 miles west of N 10000 W street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hinckley UT 84635, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Central Utah Valleys and in the West Desert. It is also in the American Mountain West and on the Colorado Plateau. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow
Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 20, 2007
2. Topaz Internment Camp Marker
Also see . . . Topaz Museum. (Submitted on June 24, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia.)
Additional keywords. Internment camps; forced relocation; War Relocation Administration
Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 20, 2007
3. Historic photos on marker.
Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 20, 2007
4. Japanese-American veterans and their parents.
Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 20, 2007
5. Concrete foundation at Topaz camp.
Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 20, 2007
6. Sign asking vistors to be respectful of site.
Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 20, 2007
7. Reconstructed barrack from Topaz camp at the Great Basin museum in Delta, UT.
Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 20, 2007
8. View of marker site
Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 20, 2007
9. Map of Camp
Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 20, 2007
10. Remnants of building at Topaz.
Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 20, 2007
11. School children and their teachers at Topaz camp.
Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 20, 2007
12. Barracks where internees were housed.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,887 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on January 4, 2020, by Bruce Guthrie of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on June 24, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Closeup of entire marker in one photo. • Can you help?
